Prime Hook nature photo exhibit continues thru Dec. 11

Edward Crawford of Lewes has won Best in Show in the annual Friends of Prime Hook U.S. Wildlife Refuge Nature Photography Contest. 

Crawford's photo of a kingfisher holding a tiny fish was honored Oct. 16 during an opening reception. Free and open to the public, the exhibit continues through Sunday, Dec. 11. 

The winner was among 171 photos submitted by 36 photographers. Judges praised the image for its composition and detailed focus. It was Crawford's second consecutive Best in Show win.

"Kingfishers move fast and don't stay in one place very long. Luck was with me this day as this kingfisher landed close enough to get a good shot and the light was pretty good, and he took his time gobbling his fish," Crawford said. "To get such a shot, you have to have all of your camera settings right and be constantly aware of opportunities as they present themselves. Also important is to keep taking a lot of shots in the belief that the best shot may be ahead."

This year's judges were Ken Arni, David Koster and Ed Norman. The Friends group would also like to thank a number of volunteers and refuge staff who assisted with the annual contest.

Student categories were dominated by a pair of photographers. Weston Williams won first, second and third place in the senior student category for photographers aged 13 to 17. His first-place photo was a black-and-white close-up portrait of a snake titled "Mom-Mom's Nemesis."

Wyatt Humphreys, age 8, won first, second and third place in the junior student category for photographers aged 12 and under. His first-place photo is titled "Royal Blue."